BWHI President and CEO Congratulates Planned Parenthood’s New President Dr. Leana Wen

WASHINGTON (September 17, 2018) — Today, the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) president and CEO, Linda Goler Blount released the following statement in response to the new appointment of Dr. Leana Wen, as President of Planned Parenthood:

“On behalf of the Black Women’s Health Imperative, I would like to congratulate both Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on the selection of Leana Wen, MD, as its new President.

The current administration has waged a pitched battle against women’s health and reproductive justice. We need strong champions to ensure access to high-quality care and preventive services for women – particularly women of color and low-income women – remain in place.

Having Dr. Wen, as the head of Planned Parenthood, with us in the fight to protect the health and reproductive rights of women is a win for all of us who are working tirelessly in this space. She brings a valuable perspective as a physician and as a public health professional. And, as a former patient, she understands the need for the type of services that Planned Parenthood clinics offer women around the country.

In this environment, we need powerful, informed voices leading the charge for health-promoting policies. As the head of BWHI, an organization that has been that voice for Black women for over 35 years, I look forward to working with Dr. Wen. I think those of us committed to women’s rights and justice would agree that this is the biggest fight for the health and wellbeing of women in a generation. We have always had a strong partnership with PPFA and are excited about what the future holds for Black women and women of color, as we continue our work together.”

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The Black Women’s Health Imperative identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation’s 21 million Black women and girls and invest in the best of the best strategies, partners, and organizations that share our goal: ensuring Black women live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives. For more information, please call the Black Women’s Health Imperative at (202) 370-3630 or visit bwhi.org. Subscribe to receive the e-newsletter and follow the BWHI on social media using hashtag, #BlkWomensHealth for updates. Find us on Find us on Facebook (Black Women’s Health Imperative), Twitter (@BlkWomensHealth) YouTube (Black Women’s Health Imperative) and Instagram (@BlkWomensHealth).